The OT Marathon will start at NOON February 3rd in Orlando

Ran LA trials in 2016. Go read the threads after that race - carnage. Only ten guys broke 2:17. Only ten gals under 2:37. Not going to pretend I was good enough to matter, but I don't see the point in making the race brutal and demoralizing. Not good for the athletes, the selection process, or the sport IMO.

Just a note, in the 2016 trials the future Oly bronze medalist ran 2:11:12 and the former Oly silver medalist (defending Oly 4th placer) ran 2:12:30. Future Oly 6th placer ran 2:13:00.

Muy loco!

Marketability is a race won in elite times, not a noon marathon won in over 210.

Truly insane thinking. People watching the event are runners that love the sport and are in awe of the abilities of these marathon hopefuls. It matters little if they run 3-5 minutes slower because of conditions. It matters more if they are sleeping or doing their own morning runs when it is televised.

In reality, I bet the concern over starting at 7:00 am vs 12:00 is limited to those with inferior running ability and skill. I believe the top 10 finishers at the trials have zero problem with it whatsoever and likely look forward to the challenge. As they should!

To put it another way, if they listened to the complainers they are likely listening to back of the pack runners at the OQ.

Who was the email sent to? I’m qualified and didn’t get an email

Any more proof that USATF doesn't have a clue what they're doing?

So they shouldn't try to pull in look warm or new viewers? Only runners who love the sport should be the target demographic? Maybe they should wait until May to hold the race, since it doesn't matter what the runners run and everyone is peaking for the trials anyways.

The concern surely is felt by the competitors as well as the fans. Like the guy who ran LA said, this has potential to be wrecking weather for a lot of competitors. What is someone training in the north to do - take off work to acclimatize for a few weeks?

Very few think the trials should be at noon just in case a west coaster wants to sleep in then watch on tv.

If they hold it at 8 am very few people west of Kansas will watch and almost no one on the West Coast. Not that it makes sense for the athletes, but just sayin'...

Terrible for athletes. But hopefully it brings enough eyeballs.

Except the 1000 of crazies who would watch it anyway, nobody will watch a Marathon.

They’re simply doing what the host broadcaster tells them to do. What’s ideal for the athletes is largely inconsequential, as per usual.

I’ve lived 90 minutes from Orlando for decades. In early February it will most likely be sunny, and it could be 80 or it could be 55 degrees. It will most likely be in the low 70s. It’s rare but we do get cold snaps in the low 30s at night.

It will probably be hot for marathon standards, but likely not dangerously hot. No worse than Beijing 2008 where Wanjiru crushed the Olympic record.

Same thing can be said for the Olympic marathon itself. It’s being held in August. Almost guaranteed to be hot and humid. We need runners who can handle those conditions. This is the best way to evaluate that.

I guess they should hold it in HOLLYWOOD with AR VR CAMERAS AND 8K UHD TV and ZILLION DOLLAR STADIUMS!!!!

weatherspark.com

Orlando February 3 Weather, Average Temperature (Florida, United States) - Weather Spark

On February 3, the temperature in Orlando typically ranges from 54°F to 70°F and is rarely below 42°F or above 80°F.

Open link

On average, should be in the high 60's to start.

Exactly. the Mean temps in August in France are almost exactly the same as Orlando during the OT Marathon. And France will have elevation.

If the US continues to have this pansy attitude towards testing themselves in less than perfect conditions they will continue to produce pansy Olympic athletes. The good news it that I doubt the best runners share they pansy attitude. It is probably just a letsrun thing.

Maybe they are changing it up and trying to prevent the “Jacob Riley’s”from qualifying again lol.

absolutely absurd that no-names can legit go to the Olympics in our sport. Blow up at the Olympics. Then everyone wonders why no one cares about watching it lol.

We are selecting Olympians. The OT is not designed to be a PR opportunity for 2:16 / 2:33 athletes.